Monday, March 31, 2003

Welcome little Evan!
Matt's brother Eric & his wife Kristie just delivered a healthy baby boy!! A big warm-hearted welcome to Evan Matthew Leshinskie! His middle name, is sweetly named after my boyfriend, who is now a 3rd time "Uncle Matt" of another Leshinskie boy!

Also my aquaintence, Kendra Gadzala just welcomed her little baby boy into the world, too! And named him Matthew Robert! :) Matthews & Babies everywhere! oh my!

Lot of boys it seems, too - have you noticed? Elana just had a boy, two of my coworkers have baby boys - and another other one here is expecting a boy in a couple months! WOWIE ZOWIE!

Come on, lets start making more *girls* people!! :)

Sunday, March 30, 2003

What a GORGEOUS weekend we've had here in SF! We're so lucky to have amazing blue sky, 70° *perfect* weather here! This is something my mom reminds me of, as they still have many feet of snow outside their window.

We had a great night out lastnight w/ our friends Greg & Krissy. We hit Blue Plate & then headed over to El Rio to see Birdsaw (hot rockstar chic Robin Coomer has an AMAZING voice). They finally went on around 12:30am... so, many beers and entertaining conversations later we got to rock out a bit. Her drummer was rocking my world too - I love the drums. I wanna BE a drummer!!! I said hello to her afterwards, too which is fun. I always laugh at what a geek I am when it comes to saying hi to "stars" or people I respect anyway... picture full force geek (atleast that's what I think I look like anyway). El Rio is a cool bar, too! We'd never been and it's totally different than I expected. We'll go back for sure.

Today we enjoyed a yum breakfast at Rock Soup... I had the eggs benny which is one of my favorite breakfast dishes ever! Rock Soup is cool - live jazz every day... great space. We also took a nice walk to Dolores Park... sat and read and soaked up the sun! I'm starting to read a cool book called Generations: The History of America's Future. It's pretty fascinating.

Anyway - the park was great. I'll post a few photos later.... Gotta go get ready for some yummy pizza w/ Michelle & her momma at Goat Hill!

Tuesday, March 25, 2003

TAX TIME:
It's that time of year. I spent this evening gathering my paperwork for my accountant (god love her). I got really good at writing things off this year :D

After that we watched American Idol, but I'm not going to tell you who I voted for. The rest of the night we've been playin SSX Tricky on XBOX. It's pretty sweet. I fall on my face a lot, but the GS *speedfreak* is awesome and I even won a couple times!

OK - the correct stylesheet is pushed. *phew* you were really stressed about that one huh?

We just watched Signs. It was really good. I get really scared in scary movies.... The Sixth Sense scared me so bad... just all that suspense my imagination goes on overload and I totally lost it. My boyfriend thought we were going to have to leave the movie early, I was freakin so bad.... not to mention I ended up crying for like an hour afterwards. hahaa. ya, I'm a sucker for scary movies. Anyway - Signs was good. And it was the bonus DVD, so I enjoyed watching deleted scenes, and the commentary was great. M. Night Shyamalan is an incredible writer/director... and seems like a really level headed cool guy to work with too.

Monday, March 24, 2003

OK, I just accidently pushed up an old stylesheet from another computer... so the homepage looks funky for today... I'll push up the right one tonite. Also, since I moved over hosts there may be some weirdness... missing things, or old pages that I just pushed up from here & need to fix later, etc. :) I know, boring tech talk zzzzzzzzzz

I went to a fun Oscar's party at my friend Michelle's lastnight! We had yummy Zante's indian pizza too - have you tried that? It's really good.

I thought Peter O'Toole's acceptance speech was AWESOME. So was Adrien Brody's - you *go* buddy! Man oh man that was hot. The whole event was so elegant & classy. And I LOVED Michael Moore speaking up about what he believes in. That man is doing good things in my opinion. He's shakin it up & exposing the crap that so many corporations and leaders in our administration try so hard to cover up.

I saw Bowling for Columbine and really enjoyed it. I'm just about to start reading Stupid White Men. Check out Melissa's review of it on Bamboozled.org!

Sunday, March 23, 2003

Ok, it's working now. But I can't get my comments script to work... must be this new host - something I'm doing wrong w/ the root path or something... cuz that's the error it's giving me. hmph!

By the way, I'd like to give HUGE props to Phil for running the Unofficial Blogger Forum. I am not sure many people can find it with how jumbled Blogger's site has become - and how their discuss site just disappeared. But should you be a blogger & you need help... this forum is just getting started and is just about the only place you can find answers!! :) thank you phil!

Saturday, March 22, 2003

Ok, site seems to be transferred over for the most part. I'm using dreamhost now, and so far so good!

I'm still having a little funkiness w/ my blogger stuff. And can't help but be this close to switching to movable type. The commenting php script is doing funky things (not a blogger product) and being a serious pain to figure out. So we'll see. Oh - and the archives aren't really working right now either, cuz I've been trying to get them to work off a different template. *sigh* it's fun tho' - and somehow I think php is sinking into my brain. I love learning stuff like this... it's like programming the VCR.

VCR
Pronunciation: "vE-(")sE-'är
Function: noun
Etymology: videocassette recorder
Date: 1971
: a videotape recorder that uses videocassettes

....just in case you forgot

Friday, March 21, 2003

I didn't mention anything yesterday, but I did sit in some of the major traffic that affected many thousands of people who tried to drive through the mass of protesters yesterday. I ended up being able to drive around a lot of it, but the side streets were still totally gridlocked. So you're sitting there in your car, next to all these other *humans* in their cars. seeing eachother & they see you. and kinda like around 9/11 - we all "know". we all knew we were at war... and why the traffic all of a sudden came practically to a complete stop. not sure how much it accomplished realistically though. caused more frustration - when really the world has enough of that going on right now.

While Seated is a great site that has had an amazing photo documentary archive (see if you can find him, he revamped and I had to take the link down) of all the protests and events that have taken place around this war-time.

Thursday, March 20, 2003

My favorite artist EVER is Robert Rauchenberg. I saw his exhibition at the Guggenheim in Bilbao, Spain back in '98. It was absolutely BREATHTAKING. The man is a creative genius!! I'm psyched right now cuz I'm going to rent this video on him, "Robert Rauschenberg: Inventive Genius" from the SF Public library. But first I need to see if I can find my library card!

The first time I went to the library & got my library card, they insisted I had already received one. And I of course, knowing full well that I hadn't, insisted I didn't. So she proceeds to tell me - yes, you live on (address) that I didn't live on... etc. That day I realized, funny enough - I'm not the only Willo O'Brien in this city!!

I've actually had a few random things happen having another Willo(w) O'Brien somewhere in this city... things like getting random calls from (her) Uncle's who are "passing through town & thought they'd look her up!" and even a strange call from a co-worker of a retail store or something that was wondering why she was so late! (hmm, maybe these willo's aren't so different!) And then lastly... when I went to sell some clothes years ago - the girl looked at my ID like I ripped it off, cuz she knew of this other Willo(w) girl. Anyway - other Willo's out there - and definately "Willo(w) O'Brien" - Say hello!

p.s. now that we're talkin about my name... here's a little trivia for you: I haven't been an O'Brien my whole life - but I have never been married. hmmm.... How does that happen?

Well I'll start by saying most kids who went to grade school with me probably still have hard time not thinking I'm still "Willow Hamilton". Wow that name looks like me at about 8yrs!


The story: Somewhere in my growing up around 9? 10? maybe... I dropped the 'w' on the end of my name. (I was no 'willow pillow'! hahaa - no, that wasn't the reason, but it's funny.) So anyway. Now my full name is:

Willo Sawn Hamilton O'Brien

O'Brien came from my step-dad. He adopted me when I was 13 or so. Now ya know.

p.s. I'm now 27 (28 in june)

UPDATE: Read about how I met the other Willow O'Brien!

Ok, here's another mag site for designers, etc: Applied Arts Mag

Design site/magazine of the moment:
Edesign Magazine

Wednesday, March 19, 2003

Changing Hosts.
FYI I'm finally kickin this host to the curb & changing hosting providers for my site. So hopefully it won't cause too much of an interuption in service... It'll most likely take place over the next few days. take heed (i.e. if emails bounce back to you, try again - if you can't reach the site, try again).

thank you!

Poopy also reminded me to link you all to the ever-fabulous S.Britt. He's good friends w/ my fav illo girl Adrienne Yan. Last christmas I bought their fun orange bubble stickers and his Coloring can be funny book. I bought the coloring for my little sister, but I wonder if she's using that... now that she's 11, coloring books are for babies. (well actually she draws too much on her own to want to color in other peoples work :) BUT, this is THE coolest coloring book. hmm.... I gotta get that back from her.

Poopy Lickles: Did you ever eat so many pickles that you didn't want to stop, even though there weren't any pickles left so you drank the pickle juice out of the jar?

Me: You're talkin to one of the biggest pickle eaters this side of the rocky mountains. I LOVE PICKLES!!!! I'll take any pickle on - anytime. However, I do have my absolute favorite: Claussen. They're so crisp and delicious it's making my mouth water just thinking of them. I will even buy jars to keep at work, just to crunch on some during the day!

I'd have to say I drink the juice less and less these days - mostly because I always have a fresh jar of pickles waiting when the other one runs out. Halves, Wholes, Slices, Spears... I change it up. And really, now that we're getting personal here... I have a close second love for canned vinegary things of all types, like stuffed olives, peppercini's (I eat these standing at the sink, one at a time until I've eaten about 8, then I put the jar back in the fridge. They're THAT good.)

p.s. Trader Joe's sells some of the most amazing peppercini's I've ever had in my LIFE!
p.s.s. When I was younger I definitely drank the pickle juice. And here's where I'll also mention that I have a dear friend name Michelle who also has been known to not only eat all the pickles, but then down the juice! aawww yaaaa. We were meant to be friends.

Tuesday, March 18, 2003

GRRR - My host SUCKS!!! it's saying I'm out of space - They say they give me 5000MB and I'm using maybe 55MB and a few emails. GRR!!!!

Monday, March 17, 2003

We had a wonderful home cooked meal tonight for St. Patties Day... delicious corned-beef & cabbage! Andrew's Mom was so generous to invite us over... she's a sweetheart and it was nice to chill w/ some of our friends. We even played some dominos afterwards while we listened to Andrew (a.k.a DJDrew) spin some beats. He's awesome!

Thursday, March 13, 2003

Lastnight's workshop was GREAT! California Lawyers for the Arts is a stand up organization (from what I've seen so far, anyway). Our instructor, Billie Audia, was amazing. She's written several books/articles and has worked in corporate copyright law for a long time. Currently she's Senior Corporate Counsel for Gap, Inc. I thought a lot of it was just going to be garble (imagine Charlie Brown's mom's voice) but instead I really got it!! I met fellow student Karima Cherif, who does some very interesting erotic & underwater photography. And a lady from Antenna Theatre. I was *jazzed* when I got out. I love entrepreneurial artists... buzzing with possibilities! so fuN!

Wednesday, March 12, 2003

MMM.... Pizzaaaaaa
By the way, my lunch is on its way - from Goat Hill Pizza! I can't wait!!!!! It's the BEST pizza in the city. Well, that is unless we're over on Polk St, then we'll do Victor's cuz they make an amazing pie as well... or if we want a fun night out with friends, we'll go to Gaspare's. As a matter of fact, we haven't been there in years. Gawd am I hungry right now!

CUZ, IT'S THE LAW MISSY.
I'm going to this workshop tonite. I've seen these workshops offered around here for awhile now, and am looking forward to finally checking one out. As I get more requests for my illustration/character design work, I need to get all the law mumbo jumbo figured out!

Funny how every individual has to find their own way in life, isn't it? Like every Mother who has a child, has to figure it all out all over again - she has to read the books and figure out how to breastfeed and care for the unique little one. A career is a lot like that. Every artist is individual and unique... therefore their individual marketing, law matters, and the proverbial "next step" is all unique to them. This is where a mentor would be good. Or a rep? hmm.... ya, those two things would be awesome to have. I'll work on that.

Monday, March 10, 2003

I went & saw Adaptation Saturday night. It's a GREAT movie... I really loved it. His thought process is hilarious - and soo true. It was a great movie about realizing that you have the power to make anything out of your life... make it happier, more confident, more passionate. Granted it takes work... but knowing that gives hope to keep moving on.

Three things I've improved on in the last year:
- understanding my own feelings (and not getting mad at myself for them)
- developing a better sense of humor when it comes to strong emotions (a.k.a the ability to laugh at myself when I'm getting all bent out of shape or defensive about something) Gosh, maybe this is just part of the first one. heh
- not comparing myself to everyone else. You are *you* and I am *me* and we all are great in our own beautiful ways!

Still working on:
- allowing myself to be vulnerable. (a.k.a. not having to be perfect all the time - for example, getting over the fear of posting this here. Can you believe it's actually scary somehow? Like I'm afraid to let you all know that I'm not chipper & happy all the time!?)

Well I feel better. And you're probably glad to know that I'm not a ROBOT! :p

What have you improved in yourself this year? Or what are you working on/hoping to improve in the future?

Sunday, March 09, 2003

Baby Lovin'

I got to see lil' Baby Zach lastnight!! I'm sooooo in love with this little boy! :) xoxo

It was super fun to see lil Marissa too! I was there when she was born two years ago... and now she is getting so big (well, not really cuz she's actually REALLY teeeny for her age :) She is SOOO fun right now... we just giggle and play the whole time. She's a doll!

There are babies all around me right now!! Everyone we know is having babies or just had one! Matt's brother & Kristie are expecting, Andrea's expecting, Gradiva just had Jonah, Elana had Zach (making it her second kiddo), Cort & Nicki have lil' Max, and there's Sophie, Cloey and Jaelyn that's not even counting all the preggie/just delivered babes in my family! They're EVERYWHERE! (is anyone else scared of overpopulation?)

Guess this would be a good time to mention I'm developing a baby line of clothing, hats, bibs and onesies! Also, all you expecting Moms, I do nursery wall murals, too!

Saturday, March 08, 2003

Last Planet Theatre, the company my honey Matt acts with regularly, just began production of Ursula: Fear of the Estuary. It's a play full of nuns & even male nudity! oy! Lastnight was opening night and it went great, definately go see it if you live in the Bay Area. Support your local theatre! I took a lot of great photos, too:

Monday, March 03, 2003

I went to the park yesterday after Colleen's bday breakfast... I wanted to take a few random stranger photos (sometimes photos are more interesting if you don't know the people in them). I also took photos of some dogs and trees...

Sunday, March 02, 2003

Played around w/ this tutorial this morning - on how transform your normal photos to the "Lomo" style... which I've always loved (lots of saturation and contrast - mm!) So here's my results, with the original pic underneath it:

this is a street near my house. Every time I walk by I can't get the David Bowie song out of my head.

Saturday, March 01, 2003

wahoo! I just finished adding a comments feature. There was a small learning curve for me, but relatively easy overall. It's for PHP - if you're interested in adding it to your blogs, I got the comments code here.

passion for illustration. It's everywhere I go... I seek it out, and it finds me.

Perusing my HOW mag after breakfast this morning, I see a feature on this illustrator, Dubelyoo. Hey! I'm "Dubelyoo-eye-elle-elle-oh"! Anyway - he's good. Big props to you Dub.

Kazoo is meowing up a storm to be let out right now!! It's very nice out, so I can understand why he's yearning to go out! (guess he's not psyched on sitting behind his computer all day like his geeky mama). :p
SO I'd let him out, but he's an indoor cat! We actually let him explore out there on occasion for 5-10 minutes (with our door open in case some big scary dog comes by) & he's real good at staying in our yard - or often munchin grass right next door - but lately he's been getting a little TOO adventurous and yesterday by the time I noticed he wasn't out in the front yard, he didn't come home for an hour! bad kitty!! I guess he's gettin the hang of this outdoor stuff now... so I guess it's time he gets a collar! We thought it'd be cool if we could plant a little cam on his head. See where he's traveling to!

hmm... I thought it was going to be better. She (Jessica) was so caught up in it... err.. uncomfortable w/ it... that it was annoying. She is very beautiful, though - and I like the idea of the movie, but some of the writing seemed dumb (and therefore acted poorly)... but it was entertaining. Then we played some XBOX Tony Hawk -aaaaaw yaaaaaaa! I made my own girl & she kicks ass!